CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
This week, construction crews completed three final inspections on mobile home projects in Kanawha and Lincoln Counties, bringing the total number of completed homes in the RISE West Virginia program to 65.
There are 53 other homes that are in active construction through four different contractors. These contractors have been issued 132 notices to proceed for projects in the RISE West Virginia program, meaning these projects are ready to begin demolition and construction. Of the 53 homes in active construction, 13 are mobile home replacements, 22 are reconstruction projects, four are rehabilitation projects and 14 are in demolition.
West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) continued their work on numerous reconstruction and rehabilitation projects this week. The reconstruction project in Kanawha County moved one-step closer to completion as the roof framing was finished this week and crews can now begin installing roofing and start interior work. The reconstruction project in Nicholas County also moved forward as block foundation work continued. VOAD is also near completion on several other rehabilitation projects throughout the region.
Currently, there are 391 active cases covered under the RISE West Virginia Program. The current breakdown by construction type is as follows: 65 homes are complete, 251 cases require total reconstruction, 37 cases require some form of rehabilitation actions, 102 cases require new mobile home replacement, and one case is awaiting initial project type and undergoing the damage assessment process.
Of the total 391 active cases, 345 have been awarded to a construction contractor or sub-recipient, 27 are currently out for bid undergoing the required West Virginia state procurement process, and 19 are awaiting a Request for Quotation (RFQ), or are being analyzed via the case management process by VOAD. Nearly half of those remaining 19 projects should move forward next week into the bid process, leaving less than 10 cases remaining.
WVVOAD continues to assess all nearly 1,400 cases that had been previously closed out or deemed ineligible through the old case management system. This assessment means that new cases could make their way into the RISE West Virginia program in the coming weeks and months, ensuring that all affected families are put forth on a path toward recovery.
Crews continue to work on the eighth bridge home project this week. There are seven bridges complete and 53 others in the case management process at this time.
Currently, 20 projects are in the asbestos inspection and abatement phase for the Slum and Blight Program. There are an additional 269 projects currently in the Slum and Blight program and 245 projects are ready for the environmental review process. An additional 19 projects are in the case management process pipeline for removal that are considered an “imminent threat" from the county or municipality, meaning those properties pose a threat to the health and safety of the public. These projects will move from the “imminent threat” phase to the environmental review process before demolition can begin. The Slum and Blight program is still accepting applications in all counties affected by the 2016 flood.
Any families who feel they still have any unmet needs or who are looking for an update on their case are urged to contact the new VOAD office over the phone at 304-553-0927 or through email at DisasterRecovery@wv.gov. A hotline is also available for anyone needing to report fraud with regard to the RISE West Virginia program at 1-866-WVWATCH (1-866-989-2824).